SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In response to widespread allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct in Illinois politics, state Rep. Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg, is sponsoring two new measures aimed at changing the culture that breeds inappropriate, predatory behavior.

“It is absolutely unacceptable to use a position of power to intimidate or harass another person, and it is shameful that this kind of behavior occurs in our state Capitol,” Mussman said. “Seasoned politicians and powerful lobbyists should be setting an example for young, up-and-coming staffers. Instead, they have contributed to a culture that discourages reporting instances of sexual harassment because victims fear professional retaliation.”

Mussman’s House Joint Resolution 83 calls on those working in government to work together to root out the culture that allows for sexual harassment to happen.

Mussman is also co-sponsoring Senate Bill 402, which would revamp current harassment policies to ensure that lobbyists, elected officials and their staff undergo annual trainings around sexual misconduct awareness and prevention.

“Everyone deserves to feel safe, respected and valued in their workplace,” Mussman said. “To that end, we must work to bring an end to dehumanizing behavior by those with power, which starts with educating the men and women who work in government about how to prevent and address it.”

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. – In response to reports of sexual harassment at the state Capitol, state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, is supporting new legislation aimed at changing the culture of harassment and strengthening policies against workplace harassment in the Capitol.

“It is time to stop victim-blaming and making excuses for perpetrators of sexual harassment, and instead come together in a united, strong front and face this problem head on,” Stuart said. “We can start to combat this issue by implementing and enforcing laws that ensure that everyone – whether they are a legislator, lobbyist or staffer – feels comfortable in the workplace. We need to send a strong message that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated.”

Senate Bill 402 will require all legislators, staff and lobbyists to complete yearly sexual harassment training, along with requiring lobbyists to submit and enforce their own sexual harassment policies, just as all legislators currently do. House Joint Resolution 83 resolves to reverse a culture that promotes harassment in the Capitol.

“Sexual harassment isn’t a partisan issue or a gender issue,” Stuart added. “We can all agree that every allegation of sexual harassment deserves to be heard and investigated, that everyone deserves to feel safe and protected at the workplace, and that as legislators, colleagues and as a society we can do more to prevent and address sexual harassment. These measures are just the first step in changing the atmosphere of tolerance of sexual harassment. We will work towards eliminating sexual harassment in all aspects of society and ensuring due process for victims.”

CHICAGO – House Speaker Michael J. Madigan outlined a plan to combat sexual harassment in state government Tuesday, passing legislation through a House committee that will require all lawmakers, staff and lobbyists to complete annual harassment training, and announcing the creation of a task force that will study further changes needed to address the problem of workplace harassment in both the public and private sectors.

“Sexual harassment is unacceptable in any workplace. This is particularly true in our Capitol, a building that belongs to every woman and man in Illinois,” Madigan said. “Legislative changes are a critical step, but far from a final step. Ultimately, eliminating sexual harassment will require cultures to change. That’s why in addition to continuing to work with lawmakers and advocates to create the strongest legislation possible, I am forming a task force which will lead a continuing conversation on this topic, and recommend further changes to combat workplace harassment both in our government and in the private sector.”

Madigan’s Senate Bill 402 expands existing sexual harassment protections in the Capitol and legislative offices by requiring all lawmakers, staff and lobbyists to complete annual sexual harassment training, including specific examples of what constitutes harassment. All lobbyists will be further required to prepare and submit sexual harassment policies, like legislators do currently. Madigan’s bill also empowers state inspectors general and ethics commissions to investigate allegations, and assess fines of up to $5,000 for incidents of harassment. The measure received bipartisan support in the House Personnel & Pensions Committee. Senate President John Cullerton, and Republican leaders Jim Durkin and Bill Brady have come out in favor of Madigan’s bill.

Madigan also announced that he will establish a Task Force on Sexual Discrimination and Harassment, to be chaired by House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie. Listening to input from all stakeholders, the task force will be charged with conducting a comprehensive review of the legal and social consequences of sexual discrimination and harassment in both the public and private sectors, and make actionable recommendations to the General Assembly on changes that will improve reporting of allegations, protect those who report harassment, and prevent sexual discrimination and harassment.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – After more than 150 women working in and around the state Capitol went public with allegations that misogynistic and predatory behavior is pervasive in Illinois politics, state Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, announced her support for two new measures to combat sexual harassment and change the culture that allows it to happen.

“My heart goes out to the hundreds of Illinois women in politics who are bravely coming forward to share their stories, and the countless others who have witnessed or experienced sexual harassment but do not feel comfortable speaking publicly because they fear they will be blamed or subject to professional retaliation,” Scherer said. “To that end, we have to demand professionalism from men in power. The unwanted touches, the inappropriate comments—this kind of behavior is intolerable.”

Scherer is backing Senate Bill 402, which requires all legislators, staff and lobbyists to complete yearly sexual harassment training. Additionally, under the legislation, lobbyists will be required to submit and enforce their own sexual harassment policies, which all legislators do currently.

Scherer is also a co-sponsor of House Joint Resolution 83, which resolves to change the culture that promotes harassment in the Capitol.

“It’s shameful and unacceptable that sexual harassment is such a widespread problem in Illinois politics,” Scherer said. “I am committed to working with my colleagues to change the culture that breeds abusive, aggressive behavior, and to ensure that women are respected and empowered in this environment.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill.  – State Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, is supporting legislation to put in place policies and training for legislators, staff and lobbyists in order to stop sexual harassment in state government.

“Sexual harassment, in any form, is unacceptable,” Welch said. “Our culture encourages survivors to keep quiet, instead of holding individuals accountable for their actions. This has to change in communities and industries across the country and right here in Illinois.”

Welch is supporting Senate Bill 402, which will require elected officials and their staff to undergo annual trainings to stop sexual harassment at work and in the state Capitol. Additionally, the legislation gives power to inspector generals, which oversee any complaints against the legislative and executive branches of government, to review allegations of sexual harassment and fine individuals found guilty of misconduct. The bill was heard in the House Personnel & Pensions Committee and now makes its way to the House floor for a full vote.

Welch is also supporting House Joint Resolution 83, which requires Illinois’ elected officials to work together to root out the culture that allows for sexually harassing conversations to permeate the work environment. Welch wants to work with his colleagues and others to create a more welcoming culture in the workplace that does not allow for occurrences of sexual harassment and assault to go unreported or unpunished.

“Putting in place policies to end sexual harassment in state government is just one step that must be taken to address sexual harassment in Illinois,” Welch said. “Anyone working for or on behalf of taxpayers should be held responsible for their actions, regardless of their title. This legislation is a first step, but we must continue to do everything in our power to end sexual harassment and discrimination in workplaces throughout the state.”